Confused Realita

Summary: Short story. He’s a married man. She’s a young engaged woman. They love each other, but can never be together.

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Love Doesn’t Fade

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People celebrated in the room adjacent to the indoor pool, the area where they currently stood. She had just emerged from the water with droplets streaming down her porcelain skin. He handed her a terry cloth robe which she wrapped around herself. Not bothering to untuck her hair after she had put it on, she tilted her head slightly and gazed into his eyes.


Neither one of them knew what to say at that moment. It had been years since the two of them had been alone together. After the confession each had developed feelings for the other they agreed the best thing to do was to stop seeing each other. He was a married man while she still had so much left to experience.


“Thanks.” She whispered softly. His eyes were fixated on her lips which held a naturally beautiful rose color to them. Realizing that staring at her lips made him want to take her into his arms into a passionate embrace, he decided to focus on something else. Her pale skin had the slightest tint of a blush on her cheeks and her almond dark brown eyes held the emotion of doubt and confusion. This woman was just as irresistable to him now as she had ever been.


“He’s going to be the only man I’ve ever been with.” She said, mostly to herself, with a slight chuckle.


“I can’t believe you’re going to marry him.” He sounded slightly perturbed. His outburst had shocked her face clearly showed that.


After noticing his tone he quickly apologized. “It’s ok.” She said quietly. Although she was hiding it, he knew she was upset. Tears formed at the edges of her eyes threatening to fall and, unable to help himself, he took a few steps in her direction. Seeing that she held no objections he took a few more steps to close the distance between them.


They were now only inches apart from each other and all he wanted was to lift his arms, take her inside, and comfort her. “I probably shouldn’t be here.” He whispered peering down at her. He was trying to control himself.


“It’s not like we’re going to do anything.” She smiled. It was a smile that failed to reach her eyes. “But,” She began, then shook her head while blushing furiously. “Nevermind.”


“No!” He exclaimed, rather happily. He knew she was feeling the same emotions that he was and he wanted to hear her say it more than anything. “Tell me. You know you can tell me anything.”


“It’s not like we’re going to do anything,” She repeated while hesitantly adding, “but it’s not like I don’t want to.” Her head was turned facing the ground, but his gaze never left the top of her head. Suddenly she raised her head to look into his eyes. The look was just as he had expected it to be. It was the exact same one he had seen years ago when they had first admitted their feelings. It wasn’t one that he had seen before in other womens eyes, the look of lust, but she gazed on him with the look of love. “I’ve wanted to be with you for four years.”


Although he wanted to tell her ‘I love you’ he knew that being with her wasn’t a possibility. In the other room his lovely wife and son sat in a room full a strangers waiting for him. He wouldn’t ever hurt them. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. He didn’t expect to meet this girl, now a woman, when he did. He didn’t expect to have so much in common and he didn’t expect to become her best friend. He didn’t expect those feelings of friendship they held would turn into anything else. It was just something that happened. He never acted out on his feelings even though he wanted to and everyday the guilt that he was in love with woman other than his wife ate away at him to the point he couldn’t even see his love anymore. “I’m sorry.” He told her.


Her eyes narrowed at the answer and he could tell that she wasn’t happy with this response. “Yeah, well, tell him I’m going to bed. You guys have fun, k?” Then she tip-toed around his body to walk towards the exit.


“This is your congratulations party!” He called after her. “You can’t just leave! I’ll leave if you want.”


“I don’t want you to leave!” The tears that had been hanging from her eyes now fell freely down her face. “I want you to say you love me, too!”


Seeing her cry frustrated him. He hated not knowing what to do. “I do love you!” He yelled angrilly. Worried that he yelled too loudly she quickly glanced at the room next door, however everyone was too preoccupied with their own business. “It’s taking every bit of self control to not kiss you right now.”


A sad smile crossed her face. “Me too.” She said. “I really am going to bed though. Tell him for me.”


He nodded as she left. They wouldn’t ever be together, but they would always have love.